by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Blackhawks made sure that no other team got its hands on Niklas Hjalmarsson this time.

The defenseman, who has a year left on his current contract, agreed to a five-year, $20.5 million extension through the 2018-19 season on Wednesday.

Hjalmarsson got an offer sheet the last time he was up for a contract. The San Jose Sharks swooped in during the Blackhawks' post-2010-championship cap difficulties and signed him to a four-year, $14 million deal. The Blackhawks matched, even though it led them to have to walk away from goaltender Antti Niemi's salary arbitration award.

This summer, when the defenseman was informed by his agent that the Blackhawks had approached about an extension, Hjalmarsson told him to try to get a deal done before the season because "imagining playing for another team is tough for me."

"I love the city," he added during a conference call. "I love the people in Chicago. They're very friendly. Playing in the United Center in front of 23,000 people every game is very inspiring. On top of that, we have a very good team that can compete for the Cup every year."

Hjarmarsson ranked third on the Blackhawks in average ice time (20:54) this season behind fellow defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. He had two goals, 10 points and a plus-15 rating during the Blackhawks' Presidents' Trophy-winning regular season and had five assists and a plus-10 rating on the way to the Stanley Cup.

"He does a lot of the things that some guys don't want to do: penalty killing, blocking shots, defending, keeping the puck out of the net. That's really important when we've got a lot of guys who play a different style. He a great complement."

The Blackhawks had to shed 10 contracts in the 2010 offseason because of salary cap concerns, but Bowman is locking in players this time.

He signed goaltender Corey Crawford to a six-year, $36 million extension on Monday.

"The continuity, for me, is very important, especially on defense," Bowman said. "Having stability on defense really seems to get our team game in order."

But the team will look different next season.

Dave Bolland, Michael Frolik and Daniel Carcillo were traded away, and Viktor Stalberg and Ray Emery left through free agency. Nikolai Khabibulin returned to back up Crawford, and youngsters will get a chance to battle for the openings at forward.

"We've got six guys going for a couple spots and may the best man get it," Bowman said.